The Christian attitude toward disabled people – a topic for the 2012 St. John Chrysostom oratorical festival, Junior division, grades 7 – 9

Many times in the New Testament, we see Jesus caring about the blind, the paralyzed, and others with physical disabilities (for example, Matthew 9:2 and 9:27–29). Following Christ’s footsteps, discuss the Christian attitude toward disabled people.

InstructionsA. Read the Church’s teachings: Matthew 4:23–25, 8:1–13, 9:27–38, and 12:9–14; Mark 2:12; Luke 13:10–13 B. Consider the direction your speech might take. Here are some examples: • Select several healing stories in the Bible and discuss whom it is that Christ heals. What is the Church’s attitude toward the disabled? Talk about how the Church in general and your local church are helping the disabled, and ways in which they could be of further help. • What is “disability” in the Bible? How does our society define the term? Who are the disabled, according to Christ? Who are they in your eyes? • We are created in the image and likeness of God. How does one carry that image despite a physical disability? C. Once you have chosen a direction, learn more about the topic.